Does Pet Insurance Cover Prescription Food?

If your pet is dealing with a health issue, your veterinarian may recommend feeding it a prescription diet that has been specially formulated to meet its needs. While prescription pet food can be very beneficial for a cat or a dog, it can also be quite pricey.

What is prescription pet food?

Most owners purchase food for their dogs and cats from a grocery or pet store. But there are times when a veterinarian will recommend a prescription or therapeutic diet for your pet, including if your dog or cat has any of these conditions:

• Food allergies

• Arthritis

• Bladder, kidney, and urinary tract issues

• Digestive disorders

• Obesity

• Heart issues

• Diabetes

Although prices vary, prescription pet food is usually more expensive than a store-bought diet — but there's a reason for that. Therapeutic diets have to undergo extensive testing to ensure they are safe and effective.

To ensure that these diets are fed correctly and to the pets that actually need them, they must be prescribed by a veterinarian. For example, prescription diets for diabetic dogs are high in fiber and low in carbohydrates, while prescription diets for pets with kidney disease are typically lower in protein, phosphorous, and salt.

Does pet insurance cover prescription pet food?

Most pet insurance policies will reimburse you for the cost of medical expenses related to unexpected illnesses or injuries. So, if your cat is hit by a car, or your dog develops diabetes, a percentage of your costs will typically be covered by your policy. Insurance policies do differ in what they cover, meaning some will reimburse you for the cost of prescription pet food, while others won't. That's why it's very important to carefully research policies before purchasing one to ensure that you're getting the coverage you want.

Even if an insurer doesn't cover prescription pet food on its standard policies, it may offer what is known as a wellness plan at an additional cost. Wellness plans typically pay for routine veterinary care, such as vaccinations and annual exams, that are not covered under traditional pet insurance — and some of these wellness plans will reimburse you for a portion of a pet's prescription food.

Furthermore, insurers like Figo may include prescription food coverage in one of their optional add-ons.

As always, make sure to check the fine print before purchasing a pet insurance policy so you understand your coverage.

For more information

A healthy pet is a happy pet, and insurance can help you pay for a substantial portion of your dog's or cat's medical expenses. Contact us today to learn more about our insurance plans and what they cover for your beloved dog or cat.

Lizz Caputo is a Content Strategist at Figo, animal enthusiast, and owner of a rescued senior American Bully. Her hobbies include checking out new restaurants in her area, boxing, and petting dogs of all shapes and sizes.